2016 Porsche Cayman GTS vs 2016 Porsche Cayman GT4 - Head to Head Review!

I finally found the answer to a question I've long pondered: Is the 981 GT4 really worth $20-40K more than the 981 GTS?

[Poorschedriver]

I'm really surprised more people haven't made this comparison. I wanted a GT4 but like many it was just too much of a financial stretch so I "settled" for a GTS of this exact same spec (X73, manual, etc). On the street the GT4 does feel sharper. However as far as hauling ass down a back road that gap would only be noticed on track, as I can (mostly) keep up with my GT3 friends on tight back roads. I also have PS4S A/S on my car and they offer superb grip at the sacrifice of a little steering feel so that definitely adds to some of the difference in steering feel between the two.

If you get a GTS there are 3 must do mods. 1.add headers, it really opens up the sound and adds a little power, 2. get a short throw shifter, 3. Update the EPS software with the GT3 caliprbation using the factory PIWIS diagnostic software. This completely transforms the steering feel and it does load up in corners and the wheel has way more feedback. Also I'd also suggest a GTS with X73 because the daming is wonderful. So in a nutshell, if you're going to track it, get a GT4, otherwise a GTS should be enough for most.

[jarrodhaas]

One of the best channels if you actually want to know how a car drives

[SpicyHatchback]

You should drive a Cayman S/GTS with the reprogrammed steering rack. Curious how it would feel back to back with a GT4.

[ernesternest]

You should do a comparison of a 981 cayman with the GT3 steering calibration versus stock. I think it is much better and loads up in turns. Also activate the PTV and turns get even better.

[GSTRification]

Nice comparison. I bet the tires play a key role in their steering feel. I had e90 m3 back when it was released. It was my only car and swiped out to winter tires for 6 months winter season up north. But what a night and day difference against the summer tires. Winter/all seasons probably was not designed to be on that car just like gts and gt4 caymans.

[uweheinrich]

The 981 GTS with PDK would have been a much closer gap, given its faster shift and excellent engagement capability. Tires also place an important role in steering wheel feel and cornering think the testet GTS does not represent the best possible match for a

[johnmitchell]

At this point, I think it's fair to label you as a Cayman expert. You have driven more of them than any auto journalist on the planet 😂

[chuck]

Now review a 981 GT4 vs. a new 982 GTS, they cost around the same and would be interesting to see if the new 4.0 GTS closes the gap. Great work as usual.

[NAJMFAN]

Your making such kick ass vids man! Love it!

[noandrewhere]

I've owned both cars and just kept the GTS PDK. The GT4 is a GT car. If you don't use it on the track its just annoying after a few thousand miles. The GTS is a universal drivers car that you can enjoy in traffic, for road trips, on track etc. I'd choose the GT4 for track days, the GTS for all other days ;-)

[bobbykhan]

I drove the Cayman manual in the S, GTS, and GT4 forms back to back at Porsche Atlanta back in 2015 (it was a program to drive all 3). The S was forgettable, the GTS was good, and the GT4 was distinctly different. As you said, clearly cut from a different cloth. I think as soon as I pressed the clutch and moved the shifter it was already clear.

[daleleppo]

I have put just under 27, 000 miles on my 2021 718 GT4, a slightly different car, but I love it for all of the reasons stated. Do I spend a lot of time in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear? Sure. Does it bother me? Nope. Maybe the difference is the extra torque from the 4.0 engine. I had an allocation for a GT3 Touring, went to the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta to drive a GT3 (PDK unfortunately) and decided I liked the mid engine and back to basics simplicity of my GT4 better so I passed. I talked to the GM of my dealer. He said "I know you could buy the GT3T and flip it, but I would much rather sell it to someone who will enjoy it, so thank you." There really are good dealers out there. Appreciate them when you find one.

[CruiseControl]

I am sure the GT4 is superior in every way to the GTS but for the price premium it commands I would gladly take the GTS over the GT4. I raced the 981 GTS on track with the pdk and it was by far leaps and bounds beyond my driving skill, it is still much benchmark. Great video

[DenisLevchenko]

Would love to see more Porsche GT vs non-GT cars side by side comparisons.

[terminatedphil]

Why do you drive with traction control off?
The 981 GT4 has the front suspension from the 991.1 GT3.

[warrenlucier]

The gear ratios issue has 2 options out there. There is one where the gear sets on the transmission shafts are changed out (GT Gears) and Sharkwerks does that option. The second option is offered in the UK and the change is to the final drive via ring and pinion instead of changing the gears on the primary and secondary shafts. I can't remember who the vendor is in the UK, but that's what the internet is here . I'd like to have a DeMan 4.5 in my 2010 Cayman S 😳🤓😎!

[boywonderrr]

Thanks for helping me out with my choice. 911 Carrera T/S, 718 GT4 PDK, C8 Z51 & Z06. Looks like the GT4

Also DeMan Motorsport in NY does gear changes for the manuals & 565 HP & 437 TQ stroker engines for $35k for engine 10k for trans i think. Shark Works in Fremont also does trans gears & engine work.

[dvdan]

The GT4 is actually lighter than the GTS. It's 2950 lbs, not 3200 lbs as mentioned in the video. One of the lightest street Porsches since the air cooled generation, in fact.

[QUEENKONA]

So glad you uploaded this. I’m a 981 GTS owner and have been wondering if the 20-30k is THAT worth it. Great perspective

[qwerty]

Nice review.
I've got this GTS, but with the PDK, which has slightly shorter gears - 2nd tops out at just over 70mph, yet 7th is long enough to cruise at 75mph pulling just 2000rpm.
The gearing can be a pain on tighter roads, but you don't notice it at all on track.
Most of the interior of the GT4 can be had in the GTS, except with the steering wheel.
I actually think the GTS 3.4 is better than the 3.8 in the GT4, as the latter is just a detuned 991.1S engine - nothing special and with a huge torque gap in the middle of the range. The GTS engine is much more peaky and revvy. The 981 GT4 is better everywhere else though.
The 981 GT4 is also a lot harsher and more savage than the 718 GT4 too, which some people like.
If you've got a 981 GTS, there's no point going to a 981 GT4, you may as well jump straight to the 718 GT4, which is a huge jump.